Embrace what you have

Until it's taken away, you never quite appreciate what you've got.

How often do we hear that?

Well, sitting here typing this on Friday evening, with Aston's Saturday and Sunday football cancelled due to frozen pitches, following an entire week of cancelled football, I'm really really really missing my personal regular dose of community sport.

And it's been a doubly challenging time, as back in early December I came down with a rather painful nerve impingement, which kept me largely on the sofa for the best part of three weeks. And no sooner had I ventured back into the great outdoors, than icy temps arrived and everything grass roots football shut down.

Now, whilst I'd definitely consider myself as having a pretty exciting life, with loads of interesting stuff going on, and plenty to do (and I'm super grateful and appreciative for all of that) nothing lifts my physical and mental health and wellbeing like teaching Aston and his mates to kick a bag of air around a muddy field.

The bag of air, of course, is just an excuse ... really it's about having a laugh with a load of kids who make you feel 20 years younger (and sometimes 20 years older), catching up with the other coaches, and just generally being outdoors, active, and social.

On top of that, you get to escape from the stresses and strains of day-to-day life, gain a real sense of purpose and value in that you've spent an hour or two making the world a better place, and most importantly of all ... connect with a load of human beings.

And I really need that in my life. In fact, we all do.

And when it comes back, I promise to savour and appreciate every single moment.

P.S. Tuesday this week saw mine and Chris Lomax MBE's one year Participate World anniversary. It's been truly amazing, and we can't wait to see what 2026 brings.

📸 This week's photo is Helen and Aston appreciating their community sport, on New Year's Day at Fountains Abbey parkrun 😎